My Mute Bride

Not long after Victor left, Rachel heard the doorbell ring.

Originally thinking he left something behind, she opened the door, only to see a courier.

“Ms. Rachel Hudson?”

Upon hearing that, Rachel nodded.

“There are two intracity express parcels for you. Please sign here.”

Startled, she signed for the parcels, thereafter receiving a cake and a paper bag.

Right now on the table, there was still half an uneaten cake that Victor had rushed out to buy at noon upon finding out it was her birthday.

So, who bought the cake that the courier delivered?

Setting it aside on the table for now, she pulled a rectangular suede box out of the paper bag.

With a click, she opened it and discovered a silver-colored necklace in the box that glimmered underneath the light

The pendant was in the simple design of a small sun with a hollow center.

Putting down the box, she found a card on top of the cake box that simply read ‘Happy Birthday’ without any signature.

Dumbfounded, she stared at the items until her phone started vibrating.

It was a text message from Julian reading, ‘Did you receive what I sent?’

Immediately, she understood. ‘I did. I was wondering who would remember my birthday.’

‘Don’t forget that you’re a patient of mine. It’s not strange that I would remember your birthday.’

‘Thank you.

‘You’re welcome. Are you free? I just finished work; come down for a walk with me!

Looking at the time, she agreed, ‘Okay.’

At this hour after dinner, the community was lively. All of the houses were lit up, and the sound of children laughing could be heard around the neighborhood as they ran around playing.

a stone table and opened it. Before she could even offer some

is

knife and a paper plate, preparing to cut into the cake for the

a box to the side. “Today

to be a little girl in

sing the ‘Happy

her eyes

blow out the

Rachel shook her head to indicate to Julian that there was no need to go

candles and had the children sing ‘Happy Birthday’ in unison. The delicate chorus of young voices would have a healing effect on any

“Make a wish.”

There’s no need.

on your birthday, Miss Rachel. My mommy says you have to say it in your heart and not out loud, or the wish won’t come true,” a very young voice

she lowered her head to look, she found a little girl who wasn’t even at table height

and made a wish. After that, she blew out the candles and began to give the cake out to

you!” their

icing on each other’s faces. Just like that,

smiled for the first time in days. Thank you,

courteous with me.” Walking her back to her apartment building, Julian continued, “The most important thing right now is to take care of your body and your mood. You don’t

I might as well pretend it never existed for now. At that point, Rachel’s expression

upstairs, then.

turned and

she was inside her apartment and about to

loud slam, the door was propped open by a large hand

darkened face made all the more

on business? she

into the house and shut the

see you’ve been getting along fine

she took two steps

he pulled off his

unmelting icebergs as he sneered, “I suppose you wouldn’t want me to ruin your blissful days, would

approached her, forcing

had no idea what she did

and pulled, she staggered after him and was dragged all